Dundalk is "charmless", Bundoran is "one of Ireland's tackiest holiday resorts", while "you don't want to waste too much time in Navan", according to the latest edition of a best-selling international guidebook.
The seventh edition of Lonely Planet Ireland, to be published on Thursday, is sharply critical of a number of towns around the country.
Despite being "one of Europe's premier surfing spots", the guidebook's entry for Bundoran, Co Donegal, describes it as "one of Ireland's tackiest holiday resorts, a kitsch assortment of half-baked fairground rides, flashing arcades, fast-food diners and overpriced B&Bs".
Newcastle, Co Down, suffers from the same affliction, say the authors. On summer weekends, "it's a garish, traffic-choked strip of raucous amusement arcades and fast-food outlets".
Like "charmless" Dundalk, Larne, Co Antrim is "lacking in the charm department", while Clifden, Co Galway is deemed to have "a vaguely jaded feel to it".
There is better news for one of Ireland's most popular destinations. Killarney, Co Kerry, controversially disparaged as an overcrowded theme park in a previous guidebook, is now roundly praised, with its pubs, restaurants and proximity to magnificent scenery among "its greatest gifts".
The finest commendations are reserved for some of Ireland's largest cities. Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Galway and Limerick are all given lavish praise, typified by Cork's depiction as "cosmopolitan" and "upbeat".
The book's co-ordinating author, Fionn Davenport, who has contributed to three previous editions, said the criticism was not intended to offend.
"These criticisms are not criticisms of a town as a place to live or a place to be brought up in," he said. "They're criticisms of what a place has to offer visitors. We've said some controversial things, but I'm not saying Navan is such a kip that you should never go there. My obligation is to the reader. We have nothing against anybody. Our moniker is: tell it like it is.
"If you look at what we said about Bundoran, it has been true for 50 years. You'll find that no guidebook says it any other way. It's a fact. We're saying, if you're looking for that tranquil seaside experience, stay clear of Bundoran."
In general, he found the homogenisation of Ireland's towns to be one of the most striking changes in recent years. "I think there's a problem with the sameness of Irish towns; they're increasingly indistinguishable, both because of the Europeanisation of Ireland and the trend towards looking like a British high street." Mr Davenport added that Lonely Planet invites its readers to submit specific suggestions that might be incorporated in updated editions.
Politicians and tourism officials from several towns yesterday challenged the guidebook's judgments.
The chairman of Bundoran Town Council, Tiernan Brady, said: "It's frustrating when people are willing to put pen to paper on a cliche without actually visiting a place. You simply couldn't come up with this after spending a weekend in Bundoran. It just bears no resemblance to reality.
"The comment on food is incredible. We have fabulous restaurants, and the town is packed with repeat business. It's Dublin standards at Donegal prices."
The tourism officer for Co Meath, Michelle Whelan, questioned the authors' criteria in assessing Navan as it did. "I think it's very unfair. There's a lot happening in Navan. Every year we have French gardeners who come over from Limoges to advise on landscaping and flowers in the town, and the local council is very interested in the aesthetics of the town."
She added that Navan was an excellent base for trips to nearby Newgrange and the Hill of Tara.